Questions & Answers

What are bonds?
School districts can only sell bonds if authorized by the voters of the District, in an election held for that purpose. A bond is a debt instrument in which an investor or group of investors loans money to the District. The proceeds from the bond are used to finance capital projects and other long term items. The district replays the principal of the bonds, along with interest, over a period of time.

How can bond money be used?
In accordance with the Texas Education Code, bond proceeds can only be used for the construction, acquisition, and renovation of school buildings, the acquisition of land and the purchase of capital equipment such as technology and school buses.

How does BHISD's tax rate compare to other Houston-area districts?
Barbers Hill ISD has one of the lowest tax levies in the Houston area. The 2020 Bond will not increase the current tax rate, meaning BHISD will maintain one of the lowest tax levies in the area.

Wouldn't this money be better spent on our students' education?
Bond money does NOT pay for the general maintenance and operations of a school - it does NOT pay teachers, run buses, provide food services or maintenance and custodial services. If the bond does not pass, any renovations, remodels, and/or improvements to keep our school open will come from maintenance and operation funds, which WILL take funds from the education of our children.

May 2, 2020 Election Safeguards

Barbers Hill ISD and the City of Mont Belvieu are committed to conducting a safe election in the unprecedented COVID-19 event. To ensure the health and safety of our staff and voters during the upcoming election, we have implemented the following safeguards:

Encourage absentee voting by all registered voters who are qualified to do so.

Consolidate polling location to one site at C.T. Joseph Conference Center.

6-foot distance markers on the floors of polling location to physically remind voters to adhere to social distancing guidelines.

Alcohol-based hand sanitizer readily available prior to entering and exiting the polling location.

Use of countertop screens at polling location to enhance separation between voters and poll workers. The aluminum, clear, acrylic- screens are 6’6” long, 3’ tall, and allow election officials to maintain social distance as they continue to serve voters.

Monitors will be stationed outside of the polling location to maintain, in adherence with social distancing guidelines, that no more than 10 individuals are in the polling area at one time.

Personal protective equipment (N 95 masks and gloves) will be available to all poll workers.

A disposable stylus will be distributed to each voter to use on the voting screen. The voter will take the stylus with them when they exit. As an extra precaution, each voting device will be cleaned with alcohol-based wipes after each voter casts their vote.

As in all elections, curbside voting will be available if a voter with a disability is unable to enter the polling place for whatever reason.